Mr. John N. Gish, Jr.

1967                                                      1967

1970                                                             1972
 

April 21, 1937 - May 10, 2026

I am very sorry to tell you that my uncle John Gish has passed away at the age of 89. He left us Sunday morning, May 10th. He was a kind, big-hearted gentleman who was witty, intelligent, and fought fiercely for human rights. He made a real difference in the world, making it a better place for so many. Below is his obituary which he wrote many years ago - a real tribute to a great life well lived. I love you Uncle Johnny. You are free from the pain and with your love, John Hanna.

Key West, FL - Gay pioneer, John N. Gish Jr., died on May 10, 2026 in Key West, FL. Born in Peekskill, NY on April 21, 1937 Gish founded the Gay Teachers Caucus of the National Education Association (NEA) in July 1972 in Atlantic City, NJ. Earlier in 1971 Gish and his life-long partner, John M. Hanna II, founded the Gay Activists Alliance of New Jersey (GAANJ).

Subsequently, the Paramus (NJ) Board of Education charged that Gish's public behavior indicated "deviance of normal mental health that could affect his ability to teach, discipline or associate with students". This case lasted nine years and ran up to the U.S. Supreme Court, which refused to rule on the mandatory psychiatric exam. Hence, Gish underwent two examinations and eventually in 1981 won the right for all teachers "to speak out publicly on unpopular issues".

After that victory, Gish became active with the N.J. Lesbian and Gay Coalition in an effort to amend the state's Law Against Discrimination (LAD) to include gay people and those perceived as such. In January 1992, during the lame-duck tenure of Gov. James Florio, the state legislature adopted that amendment, making New Jersey the fifth state in the union to criminalize such discrimination.

During this period Gish served eight years on the Board of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Jersey, which had assisted his earlier litigation along with the NEA. He was a founding member of the ACLU Florida Keys Chapter in 2004.

In 1992 Gish and Hanna decided to retire to Key West, where they purchased a home together with Connie Gilbert, a long-time friend and social activist. In 1998 Hanna became the "poster boy" in a successful countywide effort to secure domestic partnership rights for gays. Gish testified before the Monroe County Commission that he had to take vacation days to attend his failing partner. Hanna died Feb. 9, 1998, before the law was passed. They had been together for 31 years.

Gish spent his youth in the Radburn section of Fair Lawn, NJ, where he graduated from high school in 1955. He then attended Middlebury College VT. After his first year there, he joined the American Friends Service Committee and became an early freedom rider in Atlanta. He then joined the Army Security Agency and served as a Chinese Mandarin translator. Later, he earned a BA in English from Seton Hall University in 1962.

Gish taught English and Journalism at Paramus High School from 1965-72. From 1972-81 he served as a curriculum consultant there. From 1982-92 he was sales director with Kraissl Co., Hackensack, NJ. On moving to Key West, Gish became a social worker with the Dept. of Children and Families and later with Monroe County Social Services. He retired in April 2005.

An Honorary Conch, Gish was a founding and life-long member of the Key West Lesbian and Gay Coalition and the local National Organization for Women (NOW). A singer, actor, and director, he sang with several light opera and choral groups in Key West. In 2008 the Gay and Lesbian Community Center and the Key West Business Guild presented Gish with their joint 'Lifetime Achievement Award'. Both The Tropic Cinema and the ACLU have honored him with the County Foundation of the Florida Key's 'Unsung Hero Award'.

Surviving are two nieces, Victoria Gish of Orlando, FL and Christine Zomorodian of Bellevue, WA; and a nephew, Matthew Gish, of Pleasantville, NY.

Cremation arrangements are with Dean Lopez Funeral Home, 418 Simonton St., Key West. Local interment with his life partner will be private. Celebration of life to be announced. Donations can be made to the ACLU in lieu of flowers.

https://www.deanlopezfuneralhome.com/obituaries/john-gish-jr?